Tune and Prepare!

{grace, community, kingdom and love} an extract from Simon Elliott’s sermon Everyday Church Wimbledon ... Grace ... Based on Christ's performance on the cross as an expression of God's grace, God's riches at Christ's expense. Grace is not cheap. It costs God everything. And grace does not make us passive. Grace enables us to say no to ungodliness. Obedience has not got me into the presence of God, but grace births in me obedience. I can now love God because I was first loved by God . I can now pursue holiness, not because it qualifies me, but because I have been qualified by grace, and therefore I can live out the good of grace in my life. And praise the Lord, I'm not called to do that alone. Community Yes, I walk in step with the Holy Spirit, so I'm at that level, never alone, but I'm also called to be part of a community. God is community, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God created out of community. We're told the Father...

W hen Jesus was born, he received a gift set consisting of three items from the wise men who had travelled from the mythical Far East. The package contained the following:  · Gold  · Frankincense  · Myrrh ... These gifts came from the Magi... from the people who were far, separated from God and His covenant.. they openly acknowledged that a majestic Ruler – greater than any earthly power – had come into the world. Well then. Why are we building a throne today? For God sits upon the throne and reigns. His kingdom comes to the earth - as it is in the Heaven. That is why we are building a throne for God here on earth as well. · Many people are working to ensure that the Kingdom of God, which they await, becomes visible in the lives and actions of believers and the congregation. Through their actions and the standard of their moral conduct, they shape a way of life and invite others to join them in it. This is not compatible ...

W hen Jesus was born he got a 3 part gift collection from the wise men who arrived from the mythical far east. The pack contained:  · Gold  · Frankincense  · Myrrh with good reason. First of all, he (his parents: Joseph and Mary) received it for practical reasons, as the family had to flee to Egypt immediately, and that is a huge undertaking even for a relatively well-off family. And they were not among them. The journey was a painful and fearful necessity, and the completely new environment demanded a whole new way of life and genuine faith.* A carpenter obviously found work in Egypt too, but for an entire family, this whole transition was not quite so simple. Women were not part of the breadwinning class, and raising children in safety and peace is not possible without a stable foundation. Secondly, these gifts came from a spiritual source (from the Magii) where people who were far from God and His covenant openly ...

daily devotional - ligonier.com R.C. Sproul There is still another vital aspect to the “ why ” of Jesus’ departure. He said, “If I do not go away, the Helper (Paraclete) will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” Jesus’ departure was tied to Pentecost. There is no Pentecost without ascension. As the invested King of kings, Jesus had the authority together with the Father to send His Holy Spirit in a new and powerful way upon the church. Jesus spoke of a certain necessity of His leaving in order for the Spirit to come. Herein was another great advantage. He declared, “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you” (Acts 1:8, KJV). Two remarkable things happened to the disciples after Jesus departed. The first is that they “returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (Luke 24:52). They were not despondent over the departure of Jesus. Obviously they finally understood why He was leaving. They understood what, for the most pa...

daily devotional - ligonier.com R.C. Sproul “Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on the cross!” Phil. 2:4–8, NIV Here the attribute of glory is ascribed to all three members of the Trinity. This glory is then confirmed as a glory that is eternal. It is not something added to or acquired by Jesus at some point in His earthly life and ministry. He held this glory at the beginning and will possess it for eternity: “Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and ...

..you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels in festive gathering, to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to God who is the Judge of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect... Hebrews 12:22-23 {Holman C.S.B.} Simple Meditation:     · The apostle uses past tens here.     · It's done ☆

God, being rich in mercy... • made us alive together with Christ • raised us up with him • seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus     Eph 2:4     Paul uses past tens here. This is the apostolic perspective. ☆

tools → Stage Effect A brief but important study for vitalizing the church's priesthood identity This writing is the direct extension of the Stage effect, part I. Here, I would like to give some practical biblical examples of the Earthly settings of the Kingdom of Heaven. Interestingly, this is partly about architecture. Meditation By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. {that the visible came out of the invisible} Heb 12:3 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2Cor 4:18 Main chapters The approach of the article The dynamics of the community Old Testament buildings and their activities New Testament Church/es and their activities Post Millennial Questions   Notices: Stage effect can be dimin...

meditation There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse 1 , and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him 2 , the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. Isa 11:1-2 ... In that day the root of Jesse 1 , who shall stand as a signal 3 for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people 4 , from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea. He will raise a signal for the nations Isa 11:10-11 Notes: 1 Paul quoted this verse in Rom 15:12. referring to the Messiah: “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” "A rod ...

God is not crippled by self doubt or anxiety. His throne is established forever. Enjoy being in his presence frequently so that you grow in confidence & assurance of his sovereignty not only as a biblical doctrine but a reality that brings peace & poise to your life. Terry Virgo

meditation I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. You shall not... You shall not... You shall not... Exodus 20:2 .. call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me. Psalm 50:15 In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth. Psalm 119:87-88 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Mt 6:9-10 ..seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:32-33 Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that ...

respecting the rank Human perspective VS Kingdom perspective ..a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there 1 , and Jesus and His disciples were invited 2 to the wedding as well. When the wine ran out 3 , Jesus’ mother told Him, 4 “They don’t have any wine.” “What has this concern of yours to do with Me, 5 woman?” Jesus asked. “My hour has not yet come.” “Do whatever He tells 6 you,” His mother told the servants... “Fill the jars with water 7 ,” Jesus told them. So they filled them 8 to the brim. Then He said to them, “Now draw some out and take it 9 to the chief servant.” And they did. 8 (the water had become wine, Jesus took away the shame) 10 ... "You have kept the fine wine until now" 11 - said the chief servant. judaite decanter - zaksantiquities.com Now, let we see the dynamic in the record by faith. 1 the text suggest that Mary already was there, probably before Jesus came with his discipl...

Guilt or Throne? spiritual, mental hygiene, mutual need, purification, confidence, etc. This article is part of the "Vitalize" pack you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever. Psalm 41:12 Dear saints and beloved! I recently visited a church which has a beautiful family life but suffers from a typical 21 century sickness. The guilt. Interestingly, leaders have told me that members are not as eager to come and get their lives back on track when they commit sins. They simply do not confess them openly. Since it is pastoral responsibility first - I really don't understand, why... The place we came from I believe that guilt is one of the most serious attacks on the humankind. People, nations can do "amazing" things to get rid of guilt. They walk thousands of miles, they squeeze themselves, they oppress themselves and unfortunately they oppress others just to see their own lives as super...